Colonoscopies & WLS: Important you screen for cancer

**Quarry** · 03-04-2015 02:59 PM

Hi, kids. Saw this news and wanted to be sure all of you stay on top of your colon cancer screenings. The process is really easy, and the prep is less bothersome than it was just a few years ago. It is one of the tests that's required to be covered under the Affordable Care Act once you get to a certain age. Stay healthy!

Researchers probe link between bariatric surgery and higher colon cancer risk:

Researchers probe link between bariatric surgery and higher colon cancer risk

**amt5298** · 03-04-2015 03:29 PM

i have a colonoscopy scheduled for next friday oh joy

**Ann2** · 03-04-2015 03:40 PM

Thanks, Quarry. The article seems to suggest that this is a heightened risk for patients who've had gastric bypass surgery:

"The surgery significantly reduces the amount of food a person can eat by reconfiguring the digestive pathway. But by bypassing much of the stomach and small intestine, the food that is consumed isn't completely broken down when it reaches the large intestine, or colon.

"And that appears to stimulate overproduction of a gut hormone that may spur the growth of polyps in the colon that have a propensity to become malignant, suggests Dr. Daniel Drucker, an endocrinologist at Mount Sinai Hospital in Toronto."

You're a great researcher on this stuff. Do you read it differently? Or have you seen other articles that say the increased risk also involves sleeve patients?

Thanks.

**Quarry** · 03-04-2015 04:15 PM

Hiya, Ann. (Whoo-hoo, you're in the 150s!)
Nope, I know nothing more than what's said.
If anyone here is comparing the different sorts of surgeries, this might be a selling point for the sleeve as compared to the gut-altering sorts.

**Ann2** · 03-04-2015 05:09 PM

Yeah, what about that ... I'm in the 150s. First time in 35 years. Woot!

It actually feels a bit freaky. Yesterday, I bought some 9-10 jeans and some size 10 tailored black slacks. I really can't believe the reflection in the mirror. The last weight you lose is a real head trip. I've read about this head-twisting part of the journey before. But experiencing it first-hand is something else.

And re colonoscopies, my mum had colon cancer in her late 40s. So all her kids get regular colonoscopies. Two of the brother-in-laws in our family had colon cancer diagnosed early because their wives (my sisters) nagged their butts into getting colonoscopies. So far my test results are completely good--not even any polyps.

Thank you for putting extra attention on getting a colonoscopy. It's one of the cancer-screening tests that saves the most lives. It's a pain in the ass (ahem), but so worth it.

**cowgirljane** · 03-05-2015 11:05 AM

My surgeon told me 3 years ago to consider myself "high risk" for colon cancer due to my history of obesity. I don't think there are studies about the sleeve specifically, but I trust his gut instincts about it and remain diligent on being screened every 3 years because they DID find benign polyps.

**Kodi's Mom** · 03-05-2015 12:15 PM

Ann, I read it the same way.
I have already had my first colonoscopy, at age 51. I am due for my next one in another 3 yrs. I watched a co-worker waste away from colon cancer. Not a good way to go. It is what prompted me to get mine done. It is a simple procedure. Painless. So worthwhile to have done to prevent/catch it in early stages when it is most treatable. For those of you who are afraid/don't want the camera going, as my husband puts it, where no man has gone before, GET IT DONE!
My step-son, who is 28, just had one done and they removed a fatty tumor the size of an old fashioned silver dollar and 7 polyps. He is still waiting for the biopsy results.
Cancer does not discriminate. If they is a way to screen, diagnose, prevent, catch cancer in its early stages, get it done. (Plus, after the colonoscopy, you get to fart (men) or fluff (women) in public without repercussions.